Safety device for jointing-machines.



W. A. THOMAS. SAFETY DEVICE FOR JOINTING MACHINES.

1 APPLICATION FILED OUT. 16, 1909. 932, 1 5, Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. A. THOMAS.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR JOINTING MAGHINES.

A IIIIIIIIIIIII ED OCT. 1 6 1 9 0 9.

' 982, 105, Patented Jan. 1'? 1911 WESLEY A. THOMAS, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO CORNE- LIUS L. CLANCY AND ONE-THIRD TO JOHN P. PELEGRIN, BOTH 0F MEMPHIS, TEN- NESSEE.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR JOINTING-MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, -WESLEY A. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at lrlemphis, in the county of Shelby and State of'Tennes-see, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Jointing-vlachines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in safety devices for jointing machines, although it is not restricted to this particular type of machines, as it may be used in almostany kind of machine in which rapldly rotating cutters 0r abrading surfaces work through a slot in a frame.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple safety attachment which may be attached to jointing machines, or similar machines, and which may be either readily attached to the machines now in use, or to new machines, and which, in addition, can be folded down out of the way, while still remaining attached to the machine, if it is desired to do so.

With these objects in View, my invention consists in the constructions and combinations of parts as hereinafter described, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1 is a side view of the main portion of a jointing machine, with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. shows the supporting pillow block with my invention secured thereto and folded down, the guard being removed. Fig. l is a vertical cross section of my invention, and Fig. is a perspective view of the flexible guard.

1 represents the base of the machine, and on suitable projections supported by this base is mounted a table 2, provided with a slot 3 in its upper portion, or the table may be made in two parts, if desired, as shown in the drawing. Underneath the opening 3 is mounted a shaft 4: in pillow blocks 5 and 6, and on this shaft is mounted a planer or cutter, of any usual or desired shape. On the table 2 is adjustably mounted a vertical guide 7, carried at the end of a sliding plate 8, provided with long slots 9, through which set-screws 10 pass into the top of the table, thus making the part 7 readily adjustable.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 16, 1909.

Patented Jan. 17, 1911. Serial No. 523,097.

All the parts thus far described are of old and well known construction.

To the pillow block 5 is attached, by means of screws 11, a metal clamp 12, having at its lower end projecting cars 13, in which the lower part of the swinging box 15 is mounted, on a rod 14; passing through said ears. This clamp is employed when my. invention is to be put upon machines already constructed, but in case of new machines, projecting ears, such as 13, could be readily formed upon the pillow block 5.

To the clamp 12 is secured a stub shaft 16, on which is loosely mounted a grooved pulley 17. A cord or chain 18 passes over this pulley, and has a weight 19 attached to its lower end. The other end of the cord is connected to a pin 21,carried byaprojecting part 22, attached to the side of the box 15, near its lower end. The parts are so arranged that when in the position shown in Fig. 8, the weight will pull the curved part of the hollow box back against the base 1.

,The box 15 is curved, as shown at 23, practically at right angles. It is open at both ends, and the upper end is provided with ears 241-, adapted to strike against the edge 25 of a recessed portion of the table 2. lVithin the box 15 is adjustably mounted a flexible guard, which consists of a number of pieces jointed together. The box 15 is preferably made of metal, and the guard of steel. The extreme end piece 27 of the guard is provided with a horn 28, projecting upwardly and rearwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This horn is provided, so that the operator may easily slip a board or any other piece of material to be treated between the end of the flexible guard and the iart 7. 1 The body of the guard is composed of pieces 26 having their ends bent down. These pieces have their ends extended to form ears for the reception of rivets 30, by 4 means of which the parts are securely but flexibly fastened together. The outer member of this flexible guard has on its under side an iron bar or strengthening piece 31 secured thereto,and provided with ahole 32. The box 15 is provided with a slot 33 and a set-screw is located so that its body will pass through said slot and engage the bar 31, the head resting against the box. From this construction, it will be seen that the curved flexible guard can readily be adjusted for any width or size of material under treatment.

The operation is as follows :-The parts being in the positionshown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the safety device in operative position, the workman passes a board, the lower end of which is to be straightened, between the horn 28 and part 7 thus pushing back the flexible safety device and swinging the box 15 enough to afford space for the passage of the board. It should be noted that the entire opening above the knives or cutters is closed, either by the safety device, or by the mate-. rial operated upon. After the edge of the board has been straightened and the board gets beyond the flexible guard the latter automatically moves up against the part 7 under the influence 0f the weight 19. If it is necessary to give the board or other material another treatment, it is drawn back over the flexible guard which supports the material out of contact with the knives or cutters. If the part? is moved to give it anew position, the flexible guard 26 is correspondingly moved by means of the set screw 34L. If it is desired to use the machine for another purposc,where the safety device is not required, such as cross-cutting or rabbeting, the safety device may then be folded down, as shown in Fig. 3, the weight constantly tending to pull the curved end of the box toward the machine, whether said box is in its upper or lower position.

Having thus claim 1. The combination of a wood working machine having a slotted table and cutting mechanism working therethrough, with a safety device for said machine, including a curved box, the lower end of which is hinged to said machine, a flexible guard adapted to slide within said box and to be secured in several possible positions, and means tending to hold said safety device against the frame of said machine at all times, substantially as described.

described myinvention, I

2. The combination of a wood working machine having a slotted table and cutting mechanism working therethrough, with a safety device consisting of a bent hollow box, the lower end of which is hinged to the machine frame, a metal flexible guard composed of parts linked together, said guard being adapted to slide within said box and be secured in one of several possible positions, a pulley, and a cable passing over said pulley, having a weight at one end, and having the opposite end attached to said box, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a wood working machine having a slotted table and cutting mechanism working therethrough, of a safety device including a curved box hinged to a part of the machine frame, a flexible guard adapted to slide within said box, and a set screw for adjusting the position of said guard in said box, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a wood working machine having a slotted table and cutting mechanism working therethrough, with a safety device removably attached to and pivotally mounted on said machine, said safety device consisting of a curved hollow box, a flexible guard arranged to slide within said box, a set screw for adjusting the parts of the safety device relatively to each other, said guard being composed of steel plates linked together and having their outer ends bent down, the end plate of said guard being provided with a horn projecting upwardly and rearwardly, a pulley, and a cable passing over said pulley and provided at one end with a weight and having the other end attached to said box, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I atlix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

\VESLEY A. THOMAS. \Vitnesses P- H. PHELAN, Jr., Trros. A. EVANS. 

